Aṅguttara Nikāya
008. Apaṇṇakavaggo –– The assured state
1. Padhānasuttaṃ –– On making endeavour
008.01. Bhikkhus, endowed with four things the bhikkhu has entered the assured path, even from the beginning resolved for the destruction of desires. What four?
Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu is virtuous, learned, with aroused effort and wise.
Bhikkhus, endowed with these four things the bhikkhu has entered the assured path, even from the beginning resolved for the destruction of desires.
2. Sammādiṭṭhisuttaṃ –– Right view
008.02. Bhikkhus, endowed with four things the bhikkhu has entered the assured path, even from the beginning resolved for the destruction of desires. What four?
Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu is with non-sensual thoughts, non-hateful thoughts, non-hurting thoughts and right view.
Bhikkhus, endowed with these four things the bhikkhu has entered the assured path, even from the beginning resolved for the destruction of desires.
3. Sappurisasuttaṃ –– The Noble One.
008.03. Bhikkhus, endowed with four things the not noble man should be known. What four?
Here, bhikkhus, if there’s some blame for another, the not noble man comes out with it, even without a question. If questioned more is told. When led on questioning he tells it without omitting, without a deception with all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is not a noble man.
Again, bhikkhus, if there’s some praise to give another, the not noble man does not come out with it. If not questioned he would be silent. When led on questioning he tells it omitting, deceptively without all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is not a noble man.
Again, bhikkhus, if there’s some blame for himself, the not noble man does not come out with it, even when questioned. If not questioned he would be silent. When led on questioning he tells it omitting, deceptively without all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is not a noble man.
Again, bhikkhus, if there’s some praise for himself, the not noble man comes out with it, even without a question. If questioned more, is told. When led on questioning he tells it without omitting, without a deception with all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is not a noble man.
Bhikkhus, endowed with these four things the not noble man should be known.
Bhikkhus, endowed with four things the noble man should be known. What four?
Here, bhikkhus, if there’s some blame for another, the noble man does not come out with it, even when questioned. If not questioned he would be silent. When led on questioning he tells it omitting and deceptively without all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is a noble man.
Again, bhikkhus, if there’s some praise to give another, the noble man comes out with it, even before questioned. When led on questioning he tells it without omitting, without deceiving with all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is a noble man.
Again, bhikkhus, if there’s some blame for himself, the noble man comes out with it, even before questioned. When led on questioning he tells it without omitting, without deception with all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is a noble man.
Again, bhikkhus, if there’s some praise for himself, the noble man does not come out with it. If not questioned he will be silent. When led on questioning he tells it omitting, deceptively without all details. Bhikkhus, it should be known, this good one is a noble man.
Bhikkhus, endowed with these four things the noble man should be known.
4. Paṭhama––aggasuttaṃ – The first highest
008.04. Bhikkhus, from the night or day, that a young wife is brought along, her shame and remorse should be well established towards the father-in-law, mother-in-law, her husband and even towards slaves and workmen. -In the meantime, living together and won over their confidence, she would tell the father-in-law, the mother-in-law or her husband, -leave that alone, what do you know about that.
In the same manner bhikkhus, from the night or day a certain bhikkhu left the household and became homeless, his shame and remorse should be well established towards bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay disciples male and female and as far as the novices in the monastery -In the meantime, living together and won over their confidence, he would tell, his teacher, or even his preceptor, -leave that alone, what do you know about that.
Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train thus: We should abide with the mind of a recently brought young wife.
5. Dutiya––aggasuttaṃ – The second highest
008.05. Bhikkhus, these four are the highest. What four?
The highest in virtues, the highest in concentrtion, the highest in wisdom and the highest in thoughts. Bhikkhus, these four are the highest.
Bhikkhus, these four are the highest. What four?
The highest in matter, the highest in feelings, the highest in perceptions and the highest in thoughts. Bhikkhus, these four are the highest.
6. Kusinārasuttaṃ –– In Kusinara
008.06. At the time the Blessed One was about to pass into final extinction in Kusinara, he was between two Sal trees in the historic Sala forest of the Mallas.
Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and said: Bhikkhus, if there is any doubt or consternation to a single one of the bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method ask it now, do not have remorse later. O! we came face to face with the Teacher and could not ask this, from the Teacher himself. When this was said, the bhikkhus were silent.
For the second time the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and said: Bhikkhus, if there is any doubt or consternation to a single one of you bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method ask it now, do not have remorse later. O! we came face to face with the Teacher and could not ask this, from the Teacher himself. When this was said, the bhikkhus were silent for the second time.
For the third time the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and said: Bhikkhus, if there is any doubt or consternation to a single one of you bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method ask it now, do not have remorse later. O! we came face to face with the Teacher and could not ask this, from the Teacher himself. When this was said, the bhikkhus were silent for the third time.
Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:
Bhikkhus, it might be out of respect for the Teacher, that you do not speak, inform your associates about your doubts. Even when this was said, the bhikkhus were silent.
Then venerable Ānanda said: Venerable sir, it is wonderful and surprising. I am delighted with this Community of bhikkhus there are no doubts or consternation to a single one of these bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method
Ānanda, you talk of delight, I know that out of these five hundred bhikkhus, there is not a single who has doubts or consternation about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method. Ānanda, the least out of these five hundred bhikkhus is a stream winner who aims enlightenment and would not fall from there.
7. Acinteyyasuttaṃ –– Should not be thought
008.07. Bhikkhus, these four should not be thought. Someone thinking about them falls into trouble and a mental lapse. What four?
Bhikkhus, the Enlightened One’s sphere of enlightenment should not be thought of, someone thinking about it falls into trouble and a mental lapse. Bhikkhus, of one in a higher state of mind, the sphere of his state of mind should not be thought of, someone thinking about it falls into trouble and a mental lapse. Bhikkhus, the results of action should not be thought of, someone thinking about it, falls into trouble and a mental lapse. Bhikkhus, sepculations about the world should not be thought of, someone thinking about them falls into trouble and a mental lapse.
Bhikkhus, these four should not be thought. Someone thinking about them falls into trouble and a mental lapse.
8. Dakkhināsuttāṃ –– Offerings
008.08. Bhikkhus, these four are the purities of an offering. What four?
Bhikkhus, there is an offering pure by the giver and not pure by the receiver, there is an offering pure by the receiver and not pure by the giver, there is an offering neither pure by the giver nor by the receiver and there is an offering pure by the giver as well as the receiver.
Bhikkhus, how is an offering pure by the giver and not pure by the receiver?
Here, bhikkhus, the giver is virtuous with the right conduct. The receivers are unvirtuous with wrong conduct. Thus the offering becomes pure by the giver and not pure by the receivers.
Bhikkhus, how is an offering pure by the receiver and not pure by the giver?
Here, bhikkhus, the receivers are virtuous with right conduct. The givers is unvirtuous with wrong conduct. Thus the offering becomes pure by the receiver and not pure by the giver.
Bhikkhus, how is an offering neither pure by the giver nor by the receiver?
Here, bhikkhus, the giver is unvirtuous with wrong conduct and receivers are also unvirtuous with wrong conduct. Thus the offering becomes neither pure by the giver nor by the receivers.
Bhikkhus, how is an offering pure by the giver as well as by the receiver?
Here, bhikkhus, the giver is virtuous with the right conduct, the receivers too are virtuous with right conduct. Thus the offering becomes pure by the giver and also by the receivers.
Bhikkhus, these four are the purities of an offering.
9. Vanijjasuttaṃ –– Trading
008.09. Venerable Sāriputta approached the Blessed One, worshipped, sat on a side and said to the Blessed One:
Venerable sir, for what reason does someone’s well established trade even while devoted to it, go to destruction? Venerable sir, for what reason does someone’s well established trade even while devoted to it, does not increase as intended? Venerable sir, for what reason does someone’s well established trade, when devoted to it, go to increase as intended? Venerable sir, for what reason does someone’s well established trade even while devoted to it, someone else’s intention come true?
Here, Sariputta, a certain one approaches a single recluse or Brahmin and invites for a meal pleasantly, does not give it. He disappearing from there, is born here in this form. He devotes himself to some trade, and it goes to destruction.
Here, Sariputta, a certain one approaches a single recluse or Brahmin and invites for a meal pleasantly, He gives it, but not as he intended to give it. He disappearing from there, is born here in this form. He devotes himself to some trade, and it does not thrive as he intended.
Here, Sariputta, a certain one approaches a single recluse or Brahmin and invites for a meal pleasantly. He gives it as he intended to give, disappearing from there, is born here in this form. He devotes himself to some trade, and it thrives as he intinded.
Here, Sariputta, a certain one approaches a single recluse or Brahmin and invites for a meal pleasantly. He gives it to fulfil another’s intention, disappearing from there, is born here in this form. He devotes himself to some trade, and it is another’s intention that gets fulfilled.
Sāriputta, this is the reason, for a certain one’s well established trade to go to destruction, another’s well established trade not to thrive as intended, yet another’s well established trade to thrive as intended and the well established trade should thrive according to another’s intention.
10. Kosambiyasuttaṃ –– In Kosambiya
008. 10. At one time the Blessed One was living in Gosita’s monastery in Kosambiya. Venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One, worshipped, sat on a side and said:
Venerable sir, what is the reason that women neither come to the limelight, nor doing an industry see its benefits?
Ānanda, women are hateful, jealous, miserly and lack wisdom, as a result they neither come to the limelight, nor do an industry and see its benefits.
